English and Humanities

Year 7 Jewish Cultural Walking Tour

On October 16th, the Year 7 students went on an excursion to enhance their knowledge and understanding of Jewish culture. The excursion included  visiting the Jewish Museum and undertaking a one hour Jewish cultural tour in Balaclava. While rotating between these two activities, students enjoyed recess and lunch at Alma Park and made good use of the playground facilities.  Here is a reflection by Jeslyne and Jasmine.  

Upon arriving at the Jewish Museum we were led by our tour guides to different aspects of the gallery. The first gallery was the Jewish Year where we learned about the celebrations of the Sabbath and the Passover. The Sabbath is also known as the day of rest for Jews. Furthermore, the Passover is a celebration of the day when they were saved from the tenth plague.  The second gallery was about Jewish traditions and culture. In the Jewish religion, there is a scripture called Torah; a bit like the bible. The Torah contains the Old Testament and 613 laws followed by the Jews. We also learnt about Jewish marriage and that it is done under a canopy to represent God as our shelter. 

Next, we visited a nearby orthodox Synagogue. In the Synagogue, we learned that the star of David is a symbol of the Jewish religion. Crosses and statues and pictures of God were prohibited because Jews believed that there should be no representation of God.  After a break in the park, we learned about a Sukkah. A Sukkah is a tent to commemorate the forty years the Jews lived in the desert. It is a celebration that Jews stay in tents for dinner and sometimes sleep in.  

We also visited a Kosher supermarket which had all the Kosher food and was very interesting. The list of Kosher food changes annually. Recently M&M’s officially became Kosher. For a certain product to become Kosher it must be certified by a Rabbi; which is like a priest, but for Jews. The process is very expensive, so that’s why some companies may deny producing kosher foods.

Overall it was a wonderful experience to learn about Jewish religion and culture and to encounter Jewish people; to teach us about their faith.

 Jeslyne and Jasmine, Year 7 Students

Year 11 Big Issue Excursion Reflections

On Monday, October 28th the Year 11 Texts and Traditions and Religion and Society students visited the Melbourne CBD to develop a greater understanding of the homelessness in our city. They were first briefed on the good works and achievements of the Big Issue magazine and then listened to the stories of some of their vendors. The honest and open attitudes of the men and women that shared their stories, raised the girls’ awareness of how misinformed we are of the homeless. The students then visited Crossways, a low-cost restaurant welcoming all and providing a hearty meal for those who find it. To conclude the day students were encouraged to walk through Bourke Street Mall to buy a copy of the Big Issue and engage in conversations with the vendors, to break-down the stigma attached to homelessness. As part of their focus on texts as authority, students were able to consider a passage of scripture that underpins the work of the Big Issue. In this case, students were reminded to love their neighbour as themselves (Luke 10:27).

The following reflections were submitted by the students:

What was one thing that confronted you on the excursion?

Seeing homeless people on the streets begging for money with their animals was really confronting. In the past, I wouldn't have noticed them, whereas afterward the excursion I felt guilty that I could not give back and help them out in some way.  Joanne Joy

What confronted me was the way people treat marginalised people. I never paid attention to it before but after Peter's talking and discussion about The Big Issue during class, I took notice of the lack of eye contact and ignoring of their issues. Tamara Narcis

When my partner and I went to buy our Big Issue magazine, the vendor didn't have change and we had $10 on us. We both without thought decided to tell her to keep the change. It really struck me at that moment, that for us $1 is such a tiny amount but for that vendor, that could've got her an extra coffee or a sanitary product. Our small contribution can change an individual's life. We realised that saying hello or even smiling at them can make their day. Jerina Fernando

What did you notice about the homeless in Melbourne?

The homeless in Melbourne are all very different from one another. When walking around I feel as if some of the homeless were in a better situation than others, I know that is a very upfront thing to say but at the same time I feel as if people's hearts go out to all the homeless on the streets, I feel as if even though people don't acknowledge them when walking past they still take that initial glance and think to themselves "I could help them but then just keep walking".  Liana Dickson

Many of the homeless people in Melbourne had signs that told their story as well as people that were begging for money and for help. These people all looked as though they had been through severe trauma or hardship no matter their own personal story. Samara Romero

There were quite a few homeless people out in day sleeping on the street, some people had signs and I noticed that one man was begging while no one was giving him a chance. Grace Wilson

How can you spread the 'good news' of the The Big Issue?

By bringing awareness through it with talking about it with my family. Going to the city we could spend money buying a magazine knowing its for a good cause. Roshni Ravi

By spreading the good news of The Big Issue, it should be discussed on high social media platforms more. Cynthia Kyaw

I can spread the good news of the big issue through telling my family or those I know who work in the city to be more aware of the big issue vendors and to buy or even say hi to those selling.  Dzung Truong

How does the mission of The Big Issue connect to the Killester College 2019 theme of Hospitality?

The Big Issue's mission connects to our theme of Hospitality due to both having the motive of helping others and giving back to those who are in need of support and help either financially, mentally or health wise.  Chaliena Ta

Hospitality is accepting and welcoming. The Big Issue provided homeless people the chance to earn money and be more connected to the world and society. It connects to this year's theme because the Big Issue accepts all and does not discriminate. It provides them the opportunity to become a better self. Mandy Quach

The Big Issue provides homeless people with working opportunity, and the ability to interact with society, to reduce the feeling of being an outcast. Hospitality involves opening doors for people, the Big issue achieves this by providing homeless people with a means of income, of which they can purchase food and necessities to survive. Rosina Pachi